June Box Set Mania!Warner's
Outstanding JOHN WAYNE-JOHN FORD COLLECTION ReviewedPlus:
Comprehensive TV ON DVD Round-Up from WILD WILD WEST to MEDIUM

Summer time usually means a slight drop-off in major DVD releases, but
you wouldn’t notice that from the amount of superb box-sets
we’ve been receiving at our Aisle Seat offices of late.

In addition to a handful of TV on DVD packages (reviewed below), this
week major kudos go out to Warner Home Video for yet another
outstanding vintage release: The JOHN
WAYNE-JOHN FORD
FILM COLLECTION, which
comprises eight films and is enhanced by
new supplemental content, thereby making it an essential purchase for
fans of both Ford and The Duke.

Clearly the most exciting new developments here are the Special Edition
debuts of THE
SEARCHERS (****, 1956, 119 mins.) and
a dated but seminal film
in the western genre, STAGECOACH
(***,
1939, 96 mins.).

Fans have been waiting for the deluxe edition of “The
Searchers” for years and the results are nothing short of
spectacular: Warner’s two-disc “Ultimate
Edition” set
includes a breathtaking new 16:9 transfer that trumps the old DVD
release in every way, shape and form (particularly if you have a set
large enough to gauge the benefits of its high-definition remastering).
The 2.0 mono mix is robust and similar to the previous release --
well-presenting Max Steiner’s memorable score -- and new
supplements include an informative commentary track from filmmaker
Peter Bogdanovich and a dynamite, 30-minute “An
Appreciation” featurette with directors Martin Scorsese, John
Milius (who produced Paul Schrader's reworking of the film's premise
for his
“Hardcore”), and Curtis Hanson, all of whom discuss
the
picture’s legacy as a film classic. In addition, the 1998
“A Turning of the Earth” documentary from Nick
Redman and
various Warner Bros. “Behind The Scenes” TV
segments
(hosted by Gig Young) have been reprieved from previous releases.

The enhanced transfer is more than enough to recommend this set, which
comes packaged in the “Collection” box set (in the
“Ultimate Edition” version) as well as two
stand-alone
releases: a two-disc Anniversary edition and the
“Ultimate”
package, which exclusively includes a reprinting of the Dell comic and
reproductions of 1956 studio correspondence and stills. Either way you
go, this is an obvious “must” purchase for
aficionados of
this all-time masterpiece.

Meanwhile, the “Stagecoach” special edition also
includes a
new transfer (still in ragged condition for the most part) plus fresh
extras highlighted by Ford biographer Scott Eyman’s
commentary;
the superb PBS American Masters documentary “John Ford/John
Wayne: The Filmmaker & The Legend”; a new documentary
“Stagecoach: A Story of Redemption”; and a radio
adaptation
with Randolph Scott and Wayne’s on-screen leading lady,
Claire
Trevor.

Three other films in the Collection box-set are lighter on supplements:
Ford’s 1948 western favorite FORD
APACHE
(***½, 128 mins.)
offers the featurette “Monument
Valley: John Ford Country”; the spectacular 1949 SHE
WORE A YELLOW
RIBBON (****, 103 mins.)
includes vintage Ford home movies;
while “Serenity At Sea: John Ford And The Araner”
is the
lone extra on the 1940 Ford melodrama THE
LONG VOYAGE HOME
(***, 105 mins.).

The three remaining pictures in the set only offer trailers: the 1945
WWII tale THEY
WERE EXPENDABLE (***½, 135 mins.) stars
Wayne, Robert
Montgomery and Donna Reed; the western variant on the Three Wise Men
tale, 3
GODFATHERS (***, 1948, 106 mins.,);
and finally the exciting THE
WINGS OF EAGLES
(***, 1957 110 mins.), which
offers a 16:9 (1.85) transfer and
is the only other film (outside of “The Searchers”)
in the
group shot in a non-standard (1.33) aspect ratio.

Though “3 Godfathers,” “She Wore a Yellow
Ribbon” and “They Were Expendable” were
previously
available, this outstanding package gives you two new Special Editions
and the DVD debuts of several others (“The Long Voyage
Home,” “The Wings of Eagles” and
“Fort
Apache”), all for a price tag under $60 in many outlets.

Needless to say -- for the eight films contained in this set -- that
price is an absolute bargain for one of the year’s top DVD
purchases to date. Unquestionably recommended!June TV on DVD
Round-Up

Action,
Adventure
& Animation

NUMBERS:
Season 1 (CBS/Paramount).
WHEN DID IT
AIR: Fridays, CBS. NUMBER OF EPISODES: 13. DVD FEATURES: Featurettes;
Audition Reels; Commentaries; Bloopers; 16:9 Widescreen, 5.1 Dolby
Digital sound. THE SERIES: Rob Morrow plays an FBI agent who uses his
brilliant younger brother David Krumholtz’s mathematical
skills
to solve crimes; Judd Hirsch is their father and Sabrina Lloyd
Morrow’s sidekick (Lloyd, however, was replaced in the
series’ second season by Diane Farr) in this slick-looking
and
successful mystery series, now a staple in CBS’ Friday night
line-up. Produced by Ridley and Tony Scott,
“Numbers” is a
good deal more compelling than “Cold Case” with the
interplay between Morrow and Krumholtz making each episode
entertaining, in spite of the predictability of some of the plots. THE
DVD: Paramount has released the complete first season (13 episodes
since the show debuted as a mid-season replacement) of
“Numbers” in a superb four-disc set offering 16:9
transfers, 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtracks, and numerous extras including
five commentary tracks by the cast and crew; a look at the unaired
pilot; making of featurettes; and a blooper reel. ANDY’S
BOTTOM
LINE: I hadn’t seen a whole lot of
“Numbers” before
checking out Paramount’s box set, but this a sturdy,
well-cast
and highly watchable series that doesn’t demand the
commitment
that “Lost” and “24" do. You can pop in
the disc,
sample an episode, and move on at your leisure with
“Numbers,” which ranks as one of TV’s
more
entertaining series on the air today.

NIGHT
STALKER:
Complete Series (Buena Vista).
WHEN DID IT AIR: Thursdays, ABC,
for not very long. NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10 (only six of which were
broadcast). DVD FEATURES: Deleted Scenes; Commentary; 16:9 Widescreen,
5.1 Dolby Digital sound. THE SERIES: A misguided attempt at updating
the old “Kolchak” with Darren McGavin, this ABC
series was
the first casualty of last fall’s ultimately failed crop of
genre
shows (only “Invasion” and
“Surface” lasted a
whole year; “Night Stalker” and
“Threshold”
were axed within weeks of their premieres; and only
“Supernatural” will be heading into a sophomore
frame).
Substituting McGavin’s lovable, gruff newspaperman in favor
of a
brooding, younger lead (Stuart Townsend) was one mistake -- an even
larger gaff was in producer Frank Spotnitz’s decision to
adhere
to deadly-serious supernatural story lines that often play out like
“X-Files” and “CSI” left-overs.
Well-produced
but disappointing, not even the presence of the sexy Gabrielle Union
could save “Night Stalker” from a quit exit. THE
DVD: Buena
Vista’s two-disc set is an excellent package if you happened
to
like the series. Four unaired episodes are included; the 16:9 transfers
and 5.1 soundtracks are superb; commentaries and deleted scenes are
also offered along with DVD-ROM scripts of episodes that were never
produced. ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Perhaps if this series
wasn’t
called “Night Stalker” and Townsend
wasn’t playing a
character named Kolchak, I might have been more accepting of what
Spotnitz and the new “Night Stalker” team were
trying to do
here...but even then, the recycled story lines and general
pretentiousness of the show still would have been an issue. A
disappointment, in spite of a very nice presentation from Buena Vista
on DVD.

WALKER,
TEXAS
RANGER: Season One (CBS/Paramount).
WHERE DID IT AIR: CBS.
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 26. DVD FEATURES: Full-screen transfers; 2.0 Dolby
Digital sound. THE SERIES: Does any series need an introduction less
than Chuck Norris’ karate-chopping hero? “Walker,
Texas
Ranger” blossomed from a modestly-rated CBS weekly series
into a
worldwide phenomenon over the course of its eight-year run, not unlike
David Hasselhoff’s “Baywatch” franchise
(and did
anyone else notice The Hoff crying his eyes out at Taylor
Hicks’
“American Idol” win a few weeks back? Touched my
heart, no
doubt). Season one of the show’s first season (1993-94) on
the
CBS airwaves offers Chuck as Walker, Clarence Gilyard, Jr. as his
partner Jimmy Travette, Sheree J. Wilson as the Assistant District
Attorney who tries to temper Walker’s brand of justice, and
Noble
Willingham as pal C.D. Parker. THE DVD: Paramount’s
seven-disc
set offers reasonably satisfying full-screen transfers and 2.0 Dolby
Digital soundtracks, but sadly no extras to speak of. ANDY’S
BOTTOM LINE: I can’t say that I was a big fan of
“Walker,” but there are millions around the world
who are.
Paramount’s no-frills set kicks off what could be the start
of a
handful of season sets to follow (though the final season is already
available), provided this set sells well enough to warrant it.
Recommended for fans, despite its straightforward and bare-bones
presentation.

THE
VENTURE
BROS.: Season One (Warner Home Video). WHEN
DID IT AIR: Cartoon
Network. NUMBER OF EPISODES: 13. DVD FEATURES: Pilot Episode; Christmas
Bonus Episode; Commentaries; Deleted Scenes. THE SERIES: Spoof of
Hanna-Barbera “Johnny Quest” styled cartoons ranks
as one
of the more amusing series on the Cartoon Network airwaves. THE DVD:
Warner’s two-disc set is filled to the brim with a pair of
bonus
episodes (including the pilot), numerous commentaries and deleted
scenes. The full-screen transfers and 2.0 Dolby Surround soundtracks
are both well-handled. ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Ribald and highly
amusing for animation fans, “The Venture Bros.” is
worth a
look.Vintage
Shows

THE SERIES: One of the more beloved ‘60s series comes to DVD
in a
presentation from Paramount that matches Image’s outstanding
“Twilight Zone” sets in terms of supplemental
materials.
The show itself remains great fun, with Robert Conrad’s James
T.
West and Ross Martin’s Artemus Gordon working from marching
orders given directly from President Grant (Roy Engel), traveling the
U.S.A. as Old West versions of 007. Tongue in cheek humor, action, and
colorful performances made the series a fan-favorite during its
four-year run on the CBS airwaves.

THE DVD: Where to begin? Paramount’s value-added, seven-disc
set
offers just about everything one could have hoped for. Audio intros and
commentary from Robert Conrad (which introduce the episodes and various
supplements)...the long-lost original opening...additional audio
interviews with writers, effects artists and others...bloopers...a 1978
“Every Day” interview with Conrad and Martin...an
Eveready
battery commercial...and to top it off, a 10-minute, archival audio
interview with composer Richard Markowitz PLUS some eight minutes of
session audio featuring Markowitz at the recording stage, conducting
the main theme in dynamic stereo!

In the interview (recorded at an unspecified date since the composer
passed away in 1994), Markowitz mentions that Dimitri Tiomkin and Paul
Francis Webster were contracted by CBS to write a theme song, but came
up with a slow-paced, traditional ballad that didn’t work --
nor
did multiple arrangements that sequently tried to modernize what the
duo wrote. The talk is fascinating, especially when the composer
discusses how CBS paid off Tiomkin not to use his music (at nearly ten
times the cost of what Markowitz later wrote!) and the trepidation he
encountered from studio suits about hiring an unknown to score the
series...and the lack of credit he initially received on-screen.

Additional photo galleries and promos make for a sensational DVD all
around, topped by good-looking B&W transfers and mono sound.

ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: For fans of vintage TV this set is as
good as
it gets. Top-rate transfers and outstanding supplements make this a
shining example of how every TV series ought to be treated on DVD.
Unquestionably recommended!

THE
TIME
TUNNEL: Volume 2 (Fox). WHERE
DID IT AIR: Fridays, ABC. NUMBER
OF EPISODES: 15. DVD FEATURES: Interviews; 2002 Unaired TV Pilot; 1976
“Time Travelers” TV Movie; Still Gallery. THE
SERIES:
Fox’s final release from the Irwin Allen ‘60s
series
concludes with the later 15 episodes from the series’ first
(and
only) season. THE DVD: Another excellent package from Fox, this
“Time Tunnel” set -- like its predecessor --
includes
interviews with Whit Bissell, James Darren, Lee Meriwether, and Robert
Colbert. Even more intriguing are two, later versions that attempted to
bring the series back: Allen’s own 1976 TV-movie
“The Time
Travelers” offered a variant on the premise but failed to
make it
to a weekly series, while a busted 2002 Fox pilot updated the original
characters. Both prove to be compelling extras in another strong
four-disc set from Fox, with excellent full-screen transfers and mono
soundtracks comprising another polished technical presentation.
ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Irwin Allen fans should love the
transfers
and the bonus goodies will make this a must-purchase for
“Time
Tunnel” aficionados. Supernatural
&
Sci-Fi

MEDIUM:
Season One (CBS/Paramount).
WHEN DID IT
AIR: Mondays, NBC. NUMBER OF EPISODES: 16. DVD FEATURES: 16:9
transfers, 5.1 Dolby Digital sound; Extended Pilot; Cast and Crew
commentaries; Deleted Scenes; Making Of featurettes. THE SERIES: Glenn
Gordon Caron seldom produces uninteresting series, and this off-beat
and satisfying mix of police procedural, supernatural thriller, and
domestic family-drama is another nifty show from the
“Moonlighting” creator (and his first to air since
the
sadly short-lived “Now and Again”). Patricia
Arquette is
superb as the on-screen embodiment of real medium Allison DuBois, who
works with the police department to solve crimes at the same time she
tends to her kids and patient husband Jake Weber. Not every episode
plays out as you might expect, with humor, horror, and real-life family
drama issues mixing in, to varying degrees, in most stories, making for
an unpredictable and compelling program. THE DVD: Paramount’s
five-disc DVD set is excellent, offering an extended version of the
pilot (as well as its original broadcast version); various cast and
crew commentaries plus deleted scenes on select episodes; Making Of
featurettes, a gag reel, a look at the actual DuBois, TV spots, and
terrific 16:9 transfers with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. ANDY’S
BOTTOM LINE: More viewers might be watching Jennifer Love Hewitt
communicate with spirits on the entertaining (if totally routine)
“Ghost Whisperer,” but “Medium”
is a more
challenging and rewarding series along similar lines, with a capable,
strong cast, often offbeat story lines, and a dynamite presentation on
DVD courtesy of Paramount, which seems to have raised its game (in
terms of TV on DVD releases) substantially since utilizing the CBS logo
on their TV-related packages. Highly recommended!

STAR
TREK FAN
COLLECTIVE: Q (CBS/Paramount).
DVD FEATURES: 12 Episodes;
Full-Screen transfers; 5.1 Dolby Digital sound; Text commentaries. THE
COMPILATION: The latest assortment of Star Trek theme compilations
(aimed at those who can’t afford to own the run of individual
season box-sets) sports 12 episodes featuring everyone’s
favorite
recurring Guest Star -- John de Lancie’s Q. The shows run the
gamut from “Next Generation” offerings
(“Encounter at
Farpoint,” “Hide and Q,” “Q
Whom,”
“Deja Q,” “Qpid,”
“True Q,”
“Tapestry,” and “All Good
Things...”) to
“Voyager” (“Death Wish,”
“The Q and the
Grey,” and “Q2") and “Deep Space
Nine”
(“Q-Less”). THE DVD: Full-screen transfers and 5.1
Dolby
Digital soundtracks are all solid across the board, while new extras
include three commentary tracks from Denise and Michael Okuda (on the
episodes “Deja Q,” “Q-Less,”
and “Death
Wish”). ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Though several episodes
have
been included in previous “Fan Collective” sets, of
all the
compilations Paramount has released thus far, the
“Q” set
may be the one Trekkies have the least to complain about. Q is a
dynamic character in the Trek universe and collecting his episodes in
one set for budget-conscious Star Trek fans is a wise move by
Paramount, making it a recommended purchase if you’re among
the
target audience for this release.Sitcoms

CHEERS:
Season
Eight (Paramount). WHEN DID
IT AIR: Thursdays, NBC. NUMBER OF
EPISODES: 26. DVD FEATURES: Full-screen transfers, 2.0 Dolby Surround.
THE SERIES: Not much more can be said about the longevity of
NBC’s classic Thursday night sitcom
“Cheers,” which
netted many a viewer while I grew up in the ‘80s. Season
eight of
the show (1989-90) again demonstrates the program’s amazing
ability to tap into its superior array of strong supporting characters,
with millionaire Robin Colcord (Roger Rees) sweeping Kirstie
Alley’s Rebecca Chambers away from Sam Malone (Ted Danson),
thereby comprising the central running plot. Most episodes, though,
give Woody, Carla, Cliff, Norm, and Frasier plenty to do, with the
sparring between Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier and Bebe
Neuwirth’s Lilith frequently of top amusement. THE DVD: As
with
their previous “Cheers” sets extras are on the
light side,
but at least Paramount’s main presentation is excellent. The
full-screen transfers and 2.0 Dolby Surround soundtracks are all
perfect and the episodes again culled from their original, unexpurgated
broadcast runs. ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: Another must-have set for
“Cheers” fans. Recommended!

JOEY:
Season
One (Warner Home Video). WHEN
DID IT AIR: Thursdays, NBC. NUMBER
OF EPISODES: 24. DVD FEATURES: Full-screen transfers, 2.0 Dolby
Surround. THE SERIES: This desperate spin-off of
“Friends”
tried to launch Matt LeBlanc’s Joey Tribbiani into his own
sitcom, with Joey heading to Hollywood to try and make it in show
business. All kinds of production woes (re-casting, shifting
behind-the-camera personnel) followed “Joey,” but
NBC
committed to two full seasons of the series in the hopes it would
eventually land on its feet. Sadly, despite more changes in its second
year, “Joey” ended up as just another failed
spin-off in
the annals of TV. THE DVD: Warner’s four-disc set includes
solid
full-screen transfers with 2.0 Dolby Stereo sound. ANDY’S
BOTTOM
LINE: A disappointment all around,
“Joey”’s release
on DVD almost feels like it was a contractual occurrence, since few
turned out to watch the series after its debut. Pass.

DHARMA
&
GREG: Season One (Fox). WHERE
DID IT AIR: ABC. NUMBER OF
EPISODES: 23. DVD FEATURES: Full-screen transfers, 2.0 Dolby Surround;
Commentaries, Featurettes. THE SERIES: Jenna Elfman’s
new-agey
Dharma Finkelstein falls for arch-conservative attorney Greg Montgomery
(Thomas Gibson) in the first season of the long-running (1997-2002) ABC
sitcom. THE DVD: Fox’s three-disc DVD set is filled with
commentaries; a Making Of featurette; an interactive game; and
co-creator Chuck Lorre’s amusing “Post-Show Vanity
Card” remarks. Full-screen transfers and 2.0 surround round
out
the package. ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: If you’re a
“Dharma
& Greg” fan (and there were a lot of them during the
show’s early seasons), Fox has done you justice with a superb
presentation and quality extras on DVD.

MARY
TYLER
MOORE SHOW: Season 4 (Fox).
WHERE DID IT AIR: CBS. NUMBER OF
EPISODES: 24. DVD FEATURES: Full-screen transfers; Dolby Digital mono.
THE SERIES: More classic episodes from one of TV’s all-time
classic sitcoms, Fox’s latest three-disc set compiles the 24
episodes from the fourth (1972-73) season of MTM Show. THE DVD: Just
like their previous DVD editions, Fox’s three-disc set
contains a
no-frills presentation with full-screen transfers in excellent
condition (and in their original broadcast length versions as well).
ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: There’s not a whole lot that
needs to
be said. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” helped set
standards
for network sitcoms, and now -- as the format is on life support on the
major networks -- it’s as relevant, fresh and funny as ever.

HOME
IMPROVEMENT: Season Four (Buena Vista). WHERE
DID IT AIR: ABC.
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 26. DVD FEATURES: Full-screen transfers, 2.0 Dolby
Surround; Bloopers. THE SERIES: Tim Allen is at it again in this fourth
season of the long-running ABC sitcom. The series by this point was in
peak form and guest stars this time included Dave Chappelle, Lucy Liu,
and Michelle Williams as one of the Taylor kids’ squeezes!
THE
DVD: Buena Vista’s four-disc set includes all 26 episodes in
unedited, solid full-screen transfers and Dolby Surround soundtracks.
Extras, though, are again on the light side with only a new blooper
reel included. ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: You know who you are...you
may
not think you’re a “Home Improvement”
addict but so
many people tuned into the series (especially in its early and middle
years) that it’s doubtful more than a few of them
won’t
want to check out another solid DVD compilation from Buena Vista.
Recommended for said aficionados (even of the closet variety!).Nighttime
Drama

NYPD
BLUE:
Season 4 (Fox). WHERE DID IT
AIR: ABC. NUMBER OF EPISODES: 22.
DVD FEATURES: Full-Screen Transfers; 2.0 Dolby Surround; Selected
Commentaries; Making Of featurettes. THE SERIES: More prime
entertainment from the heyday of Steven Bochco and David
Milch’s
acclaimed cop series, with Jimmy Smits and Kim Delaney’s
characters taking their relationship to a whole other level and Dennis
Franz’s Sipowicz trying to move on after the death of his
son.
THE DVD: Fox continues their release of the series with standard,
satisfying full-screen transfers, 2.0 Dolby Surround stereo, and a
sprinkling of extras, including selected commentaries and two
featurettes, “Through the Lens: The Look of Blue”
and
“In With the New.” ANDY’S BOTTOM LINE: If
you’re a “Blue” fan this latest box set
comes
strongly recommended. NEXT
TIME: UNDERWORLD EVOLUTION and More!Don't
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then. Cheers everyone!